Brokeback Mountain

 I don’t believe I am homophobic, at least not as I understand the meaning of the word, but until this weekend I just couldn’t quite make myself go to see Brokeback Mountain. Having finally seen the movie, it would be much easier if I could say that I came away feeling relieved that it wasn’t as graphic as I was afraid it would be or that I was immediately at ease by the story. Neither of those two is true.

The movie did confirm my feeling that there was an important story to be told by the movie, a story that I probably will never fully understand at least in the superficial context of it being a story about two men in a relationship. The movie, though, is about more than just these two men. It’s about a lifetime of feelings that cannot be satisfied and so must be denied even as they live on. The core issue is not a great deal different then the unfulfilled relationship in “Lost In Translation” or in any love that must be denied. If the feelings would just cooperate with us and die or fade away then closure is possible, but they won’t….and so Brokeback Mountain is more than the story of these two men who cared more for each other than the world would allow, in a way Ennis and Jack’s dilemma is the same as mine and perhaps yours, as well as that of anyone who endures a lifetime of loss or denial.

 

Comments

[Susan]

It wasn't until I got a bunch of flaming cartoons in an email that I realized what the movie was a bout...I'm disappointed in myself to admit that I wanted to see the movie up until that point.

Its not that I have anything against Gays or Lesbians for that matter, hell, my sister-in-law is one, but I just don't know that I want to watch a movie about it...I don't even go to romance movies either...and rare do I rent one unless it is a comedy...

But...thanks for the review on the movie.

[Lisa]

I loved this movie for the very things you cite in this post. However, the inner middle-schooler in me DID find it utterly necessary -- as everyone was silently and profoundly filing out of the theater -- to wonder aloud whether they's show any "bloopers" after the credits. C'mon. That's funny. I don't care who you are.

(Probably the same inner middle-schooler that prompted me to to call Ennis "Anus" all the way home while we were discussing the film.)